The Battle in Journey to the West-Chapter 50 - 0 Wukong Tricks Venus by Borrowing Wine

Wukong responded, “Brother Four, don’t be angry. I’m merely turning their strategy against them, to stabilize the Jade Emperor temporarily so we can make our arrangements. I also want to scope out the situation in the Celestial Palace and see how much of an advantage we have, to make plans for the future! Right now, the Jade Emperor is in dire need of support, and he certainly sees our strength, wanting to recruit us as his lackeys. However, we can turn the tables, stripping him of all dignity, and deal him a crushing defeat, making sure they dare not provoke us of Flower-Fruit Mountain again!”

The Peng Demon King, who was the most composed among the brothers, spoke up. Although the Macaques King was the wisest, his temperament was too impulsive. He knew much but didn’t think far ahead, often relying on the Peng Demon King for planning. Wukong was determined to stick to the original plan, first causing Havoc in Heaven to see the reaction of the parties involved. After all, there was another Daoist Equal to Heaven outside. Even if this body were truly suppressed by the Tathagata for five hundred years, there would be no fear.

Wukong was preparing for all contingencies; the unexpected variable that was Daoist Equal to Heaven remained active in the Southern Toad Continent causing trouble. If he could stop the Buddhist sect from spreading to the east, that would be best, but he still felt that the hope was slim. If the Tathagata truly showed his hand, it might be unstoppable. On this side, he would follow the original route, causing Havoc in Heaven, stealing the Peaches of Immortality and Immortal Pills, and then drawing the Tathagata over to suppress him. If the Journey to the West were indeed to happen, he would have foreknowledge, which would be beneficial for him. If the trajectory changed, then he would lose the advantage.

Wukong, having undergone a life-and-death experience, had now attained great wisdom. If he were to cultivate diligently, he might even be able to achieve Buddhahood and become an ancestor.

The Lion Camel King pondered and said, “In that case, it could work, but you must be careful once you’re in the Celestial Palace. Those Immortal Officials are known for their ruthlessness.”

Wukong retorted, “If they dare to touch Old Sun, they’d better not complain about breaking their teeth!”

The brothers all burst into laughter, and the Yu Rong King said, “I wonder what kind of official position the old Jade Emperor will give you.”

Wukong waved his hand and said, “That stingy old Jade Emperor will at most offer a minor position. By then, Old Sun will have an excuse to create a big disturbance! Ha ha, ha ha!”

All the Demon Kings were fearless characters. Although they had some wariness towards the Heavenly Court, they were far from being afraid. Moreover, with their exceptional strength, even though there had always been open conflict and covert struggles with the Heavenly Court, the Court dared not take fatal actions against them, fearing a destructive outcome where both sides would be ruined.

White Gold Star outside had been waiting restlessly until finally a little demon reported, “The Great King allows you to enter!”

Li Changgeng entered the Water Curtain Cave, thinking to himself, “What a paradise! No wonder this Stone Monkey is so blessed to have such cultivation.”

He suddenly realized that this Monkey King was born from the Five-Colored Crystal Stone, and looking up at the mountaintop with his Heavenly Vision, he saw no trace of the crystal fragments, feeling somewhat embarrassed. In his past life, it was this White Gold Star who had stealthily stolen the Five-Colored Crystal Stone. However, now Wukong had the crystal fragments with him, ready to forge them into a Magical Treasure when the opportunity arose, to be used against enemies.

Li Changgeng saw the Monkey King sitting majestically at the table, awe-inspiring, yet the other six Demon Kings were nowhere to be seen. Bowing, he said, “I am White Gold Star Li Changgeng, bearing the Jade Emperor’s divine edict, to invite you to ascend to Heaven and enjoy the blessings of the Immortal Abode.”

Wukong laughed and said, “Lately, Old Sun has been contemplating a visit to Heaven, and what do you know? An angel has already come as an envoy?”

Li Changgeng, holding the Jade Emperor’s divine edict, read it aloud on the spot. After listening, Wukong said, “Who would have thought the old Jade Emperor to be such a good person? I caused trouble for the Western Asterisms, and instead of punishment, he wants to appoint me to an official position?”

Li Changgeng asked, “Why don’t I see the other six Great Kings?”

The six Great Demon Kings were all hiding behind the scenes, unwilling to deal with the envoy from the Celestial Court.

Seeing that Li Changgeng had posed a question, Wukong replied, “My six brothers have returned to their respective cave abodes; how would they have time to play here all day?”

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Li Changgeng nodded and said, “I would ask the Great King to follow me to the heavens to report back the Imperial Edict.”

Wukong, however, waved his hand and said, “No rush, no rush, Old Venus, it’s not easy for you to descend to the mortal realm. If I don’t host you properly, it would be a breach of etiquette! Lads, prepare a banquet to entertain this angelic emissary.”

Li Changgeng chuckled and replied, “No need to hurry, Great King! I bear the sacred edict and dare not linger too long; I ask that the Great King accompany me to the heavens to hear the decree, and then it won’t be too late to drink.”

But Wukong said, “Oh, you refuse to drink my wine, which is like not giving Old Sun face. Why should I give you face then? I won’t go, won’t go!”

Seeing that he had annoyed Wukong, Li Changgeng couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on. This Demon King really was difficult to deal with. He then clasped his hands and said, “Then I must thank the Great King for his kind intention and share a meal and drinks with the Great King.”

Wukong hopped down from his stone stool, patted Li Changgeng on the shoulder, and laughed, “That’s more like it! Lads, quickly set up a banquet for this king.”

Little monkeys jumped out from all around, carrying wine, fruits, and the like, placing them on the table before them. Wukong and Li Changgeng took their seats side by side and began to drink.

Li Changgeng, within the Heavenly Court, enjoyed a good drink only during holidays, and although he had light drinks on normal days, he never dared to drink much. Now, unable to decline Wukong’s hospitality, he accepted and after drinking over ten cups, he found the wine absolutely delightful and satisfying, indulging in a hundred cups until his face turned red and his neck thickened.

Seeing that Li Changgeng had drunk quite a bit, Wukong didn’t stop him but continued to toast, while Li Changgeng at this moment was also showing his own boldness with every toast and not holding back, not acting like someone from the Heavenly Court at all.

Eventually, Li Changgeng felt his head as big as a bucket, and could no longer articulate, his words slurred.

Wukong laughed and asked, “I wonder whose idea it was for the Jade Emperor to try and recruit Old Sun this time?”

Li Changgeng replied, “It was the Jade Emperor’s own idea. Nowadays, he’s been overshadowed by several Great Emperors and needs to establish his own support.”

Wukong then asked, “Was it also his idea to offer me a minor position?”

Li Changgeng waved his hand and replied, “That wasn’t the Jade Emperor’s idea!”

Li Changgeng was now thoroughly befuddled by drink, unaware of where he even was. Wukong’s wine was no ordinary liquor—it had special ingredients that, despite being flavorful, could even get a master of the Immortal Abode stupendously drunk. Li Changgeng had let down his guard, thinking that Wukong was merely being hospitable, not expecting to fall into one of Wukong’s schemes so carelessly.

Wukong curiously inquired, “Oh? Whose idea was this then?”

Li Changgeng responded, “It was Great Lord Yuan Shi’s idea! The Jade Emperor is but a Child under the seat of Hongjun, with fortune that allowed him to ascend to the celestial palace, and it was Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch who taught him the Method of Becoming an Immortal. He wouldn’t dare disobey a word from Great Lord Yuan Shi!”

Li Changgeng was now so inebriated that he spoke without reserve; if the Immortal Officials of the Heavenly Court were to hear this, it could likely lead to his demise.

Wukong chuckled and asked, “Why did Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch only offer me the role of Protector of the Horses?”

Li Changgeng, his tongue twisted, answered, “Because the Monkey King is hot-tempered by nature. If he knew that Protector of the Horses was just a minor position, he might cause trouble for the Jade Emperor. These past years, the Jade Emperor has been somewhat dissatisfied with Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, and this is also a way to use you to knock the Jade Emperor down a peg.”

The Journey to the West was not widely known at the time, and of course, Li Changgeng was unaware, simply thinking that the Jade Emperor was being uncooperative and Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch wanted to put him in his place. In truth, that was only a minor reason; the more significant one was to let Wukong cause a great disaster, and then have Tathagata step in to subdue him, giving him an “opportunity” to “atone” by embarking on the Journey to the West, to Achieve True Fruition.

Wukong thought to himself, “It seems Old Sun’s suspicion was correct; the Three Pure Ones are indeed scheming against me, but they’re not exactly despicable.”

In his previous life, he had been bashed on the head by Tathagata with an Alms Bowl, beaten to death in the flesh, and then his Primordial Spirit turned to ash by a strike from the Six-Eared Macaque. If there was anyone he despised the most, aside from Tathagata, it would be hard to say who else.

The Ox Demon King, listening from behind the scenes, was shocked and thought to himself, “Who would have guessed that this recruitment was orchestrated by Great Lord Yuan Shi? It seems this matter might not be so trivial, and who knows what will happen in the end!”

The Seven Great Demon Kings were also inwardly alarmed upon hearing this. Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, one of the Three Pure Ones and the supreme being of Taoism, actually paid attention to Flower-Fruit Mountain?

In an instant, a cold shiver ran down the backs of the Seven Great Demon Kings.

If you want to know what happens next, please listen to the following explanation.